Exe vs Toulouse. Sat 15:30

[paddy no 11]

Toulouse will say they're not getting many 50/50 calls

Long way back from here

[paddy no 11]

Simmonds killed that first time

[Digby]

Toulouse would be walking this if they could be bothered to run. The number of times they leave it to someone else off the ball is just amazing, how big a game do they need in order to make a real effort?

[Mikey Brown]

I've tried and failed everal times to get the BT Sport app up and running when it doesn't play in the browser. Anyone else? I'm probably just being thick/lazy, but there you go.

[Digby]

And that's probably that. Congrats to the Chiefs

[Digby]

Unless he's missing a leg I'd have bee keeping Dupont out there, no point saving him for anything else

[Mellsblue]

What. A. Try.

[Digby]

I cannot believe how slowly Toulouse deigned to walk into their own lineout when they needed the two scores

[Mellsblue]

If this were artistic gymnastics Toulouse would win with plenty of room to spare.

[twitchy]

I was really worried in the first half. Fantastic from the lads in the end. When maunder slipped and didn't score I thought that was going to be a defining moment. I let out a huge "fuuuck".


Love it.

[Digby]

If this were artistic gymnastics Toulouse would win with plenty of room to spare.

Somehow it's part of their problem. They're brilliant to watch at times, but then they canter along assuming there'll be a moment of brilliance any moment now and just ignore lots of little details, and weirder still some big details like defending as a team.

All that ability for so little point.

[fivepointer]

Well done to Exe. 2nd best for a time but gradually took control and finished good winners. Much to like about their performance and the contribution of their England and possible England players like Hill who was excellent.

Enjoyed Sam W's commentary.

[Mellsblue]

Yeah. If Eddie is true his word that he judges on European performances then Hill will be in the EPS for the 8N.

[twitchy]

Well done to Exe. 2nd best for a time but gradually took control and finished good winners. Much to like about their performance and the contribution of their England and possible England players like Hill who was excellent.

Enjoyed Sam W's commentary.

Absolutely, very interesting additions from him.

[Timbo]

For this level of European rugby some of Toulouse’s defence was awful. Do they train line speed with a massive dog leg? That’s the only explanation.

[Digby]

I thought Teddy Thomas sat on his arse ahead of the ball sulking and refusing to help his team might be the most shrug of the shoulders French stereotype we'd see today, but Toulouse and their (lack of) defence took it to a new level

[FKAS]

For this level of European rugby some of Toulouse’s defence was awful. Do they train line speed with a massive dog leg? That’s the only explanation.

They were trying to stop Exeter playing out the back and using width to stretch the Tolouse defence. Hence the Tolouse backs were blitzing up and in to try and cut off the outside pass and funnel Chiefs back into the Tolouse forwards. Blitzing in like that allows you to compact your defensive line and effectively have a wall of defenders. It's a big ask on your outside backs though to keep racing out the line and cutting off the wide pass.

Hats off to Rob Baxter and his coaching staff. A tactical masterclass. Very brave to go and soak up all that Tolouse pressure with keeping the ball in play so that they tire and Chiefs can take advantage. Kudos to the players on trusting 100% in the tactics as well because in the first 30 minutes when they were taking a hammering for a near relentless Tolouse it would have been easy to just kick to touch and take a breather. They stuck to the plan and kept the ball in play, chasing hard and got the rewards.

[paddy no 11]

Aki blitzes every time its how he plays, when its not guitoune with him it goes to pot

[francoisfou]

After the first 15 minutes or so, I thought the game could be there for the taking but when Arnold went off injured our line out went to pot and Exeter took the game by the scruff of the neck and deservedly pulled away. I was disappointed that they didn't front up to the dominant Exeter pack but there are a couple of players who are getting on a bit - Kaino and Tekori, for example, but there are younger players in the pipeline who'll no doubt get their opportunities in the Top14.

[Oakboy]

Yeah. If Eddie is true his word that he judges on European performances then Hill will be in the EPS for the 8N.

Telling that Hill was fit and effective enough to stay on when Gray departed!!

[Oakboy]

Baxter said before the match that a game-plan was required for 80 minutes. Spot-on.

[Mellsblue]

when Arnold went off injured our line out went to pot.

Three storey Rory? I think that’s my favourite nickname ever. It’s def between that and Ben from accounts.

[francoisfou]

when Arnold went off injured our line out went to pot.

Three storey Rory? I think that’s my favourite nickname ever. It’s def between that and Ben from accounts.

[Banquo]

Simmonds boys did well. As did most of Chiefs in fairness